Page intentionally left blank

ST II Connector Installation EZ Method

General Information

ST II connectors are available for multimode and singlemode

fibers. The standard connector assembly includes the connector body (plug) with protective cap, crimp sleeves, and boot assembly for single fiber cable and buffer support and cap extender for buffered fiber.

Adhesive and Primer Preparation

For the EZ installation, use the following Loctite products: -

• 648 Retaining Compound • 7090 Solventless Primer Adhesives may be purchased directly from SYSTIMAX using Material ID 760000810 (Adhesive Kit) or purchased directly from a Loctite distributor. Small bottles can also be ordered if required to decant the materials. Loctite is a product manufactured by Henkel. For a list of distributors worldwide more information can be found at: - www.loctite.com Safety • Safety glasses should be worn at all times while performing the installation procedures. • Avoid skin contact with adhesive. • Disconnected optical connectors may emit radiation if the far end is coupled with a working laser or Light-Emitting Diode (LED). Do not view the fiber end of a cable or plug with an optical instrument until absolute verification is established that the fiber is disconnected from any laser or LED source.

Assembling ST II Connectors on 250-µm Buffered Fiber

250-µm fiber is used in some OSP cables and if direct

termination is required, 900-µm tubing must be placed over the 250-µm fiber. This is mandatory for the installation to comply with SYSTIMAX standards.

1. With 250-µm fiber, expose sufficient length for the

patchpanel into which it is to be terminated and for the connector installation. Typical length is approximately 24-36 inches. (0.6 to 0.9 meters)

2. Place the appropriate length of 900-µm buffered tubing

from the D-181755 Kit over the 250-µm fiber to be stripped until they are aligned together at the end.

3. Slide the cap extender, small end first and the cable support boot, onto the buffered fiber.

Buffered Buffer support

tubing

Fiber Buffer cap

4. 250-µm Buffered Fiber with 900-µm jacket. With the

Micro-strip handles open and the buffered tube aligned with the end of the fiber, insert both fiber and buffer tubing through the guide tube opening enough to allow about (19 mm) 0.75 inch of buffer and fiber coating to be removed. Close the handles and pull the buffer away from the tool with a smooth motion. Pull the fiber from the tool with one smooth motion, cleaning it afterwards with a wipe dampened with isopropyl alcohol to remove any residual coating.

Adhesive and Primer Preparation

For the EZ installation method, use the following Loctite

products: -

• 648 Retaining Compound

• 7090 Solventless Primer • 495 Superbonder Adhesives may be purchased directly from SYSTIMAX using Material ID 760000810 EZ Adhesive or purchased directly from a Loctite distributor together with small bottles if required to decant the materials.

1. Shake the bottle of adhesive vigorously. Remove the cap

from the bottle of adhesive and if the adhesive has not been opened, cut tiny tip off end of nozzle. Twist a syringe tip onto the nozzle making sure that it fits snugly. Alternatively draw adhesive into a 3cc syringe then twist on syringe tip.

2. Shake the bottle of primer vigorously. Twist a syringe

tip onto the nozzle or alternatively draw primer into a 3cc syringe then twist on a syringe tip.

Safety: - If syringe tips (blunts) have been twisted onto

the tops of the bottles, these will sit vertically on the work surface and care should be taken that they do not become a ‘stick’ hazard.

Note: Once the installation procedure has been

completed, any extra primer in the syringe may be returned to the original bottle. However, the syringe tip should be removed to avoid getting adhesive, which may be on tip, mixed in with primer. It is not recommended that the adhesive be returned to the bottles as this could cause contamination!

Tip: If the small bottles of primer are used with a syringe tip (blunt), if the bottle gets accidentally knocked over, no primer is lost.

Page intentionally left blank

Connector–900-µm Buffered Fiber Assembly

1. Apply primer to (6mm) 0.25 inch of the buffer. Avoid getting the primer on the fiber. If several connectors are being terminated, it is recommended that all of the buffers be primed before moving on to the next step.

2. Make sure that the hole in the connector tip is clear of any foreign matter by inspecting it visually against the light. Use music wire to clear the hole if necessary. Place a clean wipe on the worktable and place a drop of primer onto it. Wipe the end of the connector through the primer once then insert the connector into the 600b holder.

3. Insert the adhesive via a syringe tip into the tube at the back of the connector body ensuring it bottoms. Inject the adhesive until a small bead forms on the tip of the ferrule. This bead should cover at least one-half of the ferrule end face. Slowly withdraw the syringe tip from the connector.

Connector–900-µm Buffered Fiber Assembly (cont)

4. Immediately insert the fiber whilst rotating the connector

to allow the fiber to pass through the connector body without hanging up. Ensure the buffer is completely seated against the ceramic inside the connector body.

5. Slide the cable support boot onto the connector barrel

and rotate to allow for proper adhesive distribution. Apply a drop Loctite Super Bonder to the threads of the cap extender. Screw the cap extender into the back of the connector housing. Check the fiber is still seated and place a micro-clip on the buffer support as shown.

6. Place the assembly in the 971A holder block and allow the adhesive to cure for at least 1 minute.

7. The connector is now ready to be polished. See cleaving

Cleaving The Fiber

1. It is important that the connector is cleaned with

alcohol to ensure that all traces of primer and/ or adhesive are removed. The adhesive is anaerobic and cures by the exclusion of air. If the connector is put into the polishing tool without cleaning there is a possibility that it could stick rendering the tool and connector useless.

2. Remove the 600B holder from the connector body.

Carefully wipe any uncured adhesive around the fiber where it protrudes from the adhesive bead using the edge of a wipe.

3. Using one stroke with the cleaving tool, score the fiber close to the crest of the epoxy bead. Safety: - Ensure that safety glasses are being worn for this operation. Gently pull the exposed fiber off the end of the connector. If it does not pull first time, re-score on the opposite side of the fiber.

Clean the polishing plate with alcohol and ensure the

polishing papers are clean. Important: Foreign material can cause scratches on the end face of the ferrule if the polishing plate or paper is not properly cleaned.

2. Hold the Type H polishing paper (dull side down) over

the connector. Point the connector ferrule upward and, using light figure-8 strokes, polish the cleaved end of the fiber until it feels smooth. Note: This will reduce the risk of breaking the fiber during the first polishing.

Polish Connector Ends (cont)

3. Carefully place the connector ferrule into the polishing

tool but do not push all the way through.

Connector assembly

1510A polishing tool

4. Using light pressure, start to polish the connector on the

Type H paper using figure-8 strokes, allowing the connector to gradually make contact with the paper until all adhesive has been removed. A difference will be felt once this has happened. When polishing smoothly, remove the connector from the tool and clean the connector with a wipe dampened with isopropyl alcohol. The connector is now ready for inspection with a scope.

If the sheet isdivided into fourequal divisions, each area will Type H polish one polishing connector paper

No further polishing is required for multimode

Polish Connector Ends (cont)

Additional steps for singlemode connectors only

To achieve optimum return loss, place the Type E paper over a

sheet of Type H (green) polishing paper (glossy side down). 1. Add a small amount of water to the portion of the Type E paper that will be the working area. Using the polishing tool, work the water into the polishing paper. 2. Place the connector ferrule into the polishing tool and polish the connector ferrule for 6 to 8 strokes; each stroke should be approximately 2 inches (51 mm) in height.

Using Microscope to Inspect Fiber

1. Insert the connector tip into the bottom of the

microscope. Open the microscope barrels to illuminate the connector tip, and use the side wheel to focus. A high-intensity light may be used at the other end of the fiber to illuminate the core area. Caution: Do not use a laser or LED to illuminate the core area for viewing.

The core may not necessarily illuminate if an adhesive

film or bead still exists on the connector end face. 2. Inspect the ends. An acceptable fiber end is free of cracks. Voids or scratches must be avoided in the core area. If the end is unacceptable it must be re-terminated. 3. If the connector is not to be used immediately, cover the end with the protective cap.

End Face Inspection for Connectors

Repairs

When the fiber is cracked or scratched in or near the core, the

ferrule in some instances can be repaired.

1. Place Type F paper over the paper polishing pad and the rubber polishing pad. Type F polishing paper is available by ordering Material ID 700006695. (5 pk) Add a small amount of water to the portion of the paper that will be the working area. Polish the connector for 20-40 strokes or until the flaw has been removed. No further polishing is required for multimode connectors.

2. For singlemode connectors, once the flaw has been

nd removed, repeat the 2 polish described on Page 16 for Singlemode Connectors.

3. Snap the connector grip onto the polished assembly and

cover the end of the connector with the protective cap. This completes the procedure.